DNR News: Fishing Lake Superior this fall?

DNR News: Fishing Lake Superior this fall?

 
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DNR News

Sept. 30, 2024
Contact: Cory Kovacs, 906-287-0816 or Marcee Wardell, 517-855-1604

Fishing Lake Superior this fall? Report marked splake to the DNR

A large splake caught in Copper Harbor during the winter months.The fall fishing season for splake is coming soon! Splake fishing in the fall on Lake Superior is an experience unmatched anywhere else in the state. As temperatures drop and leaves begin to change, the splake bite picks up as the fish move nearshore.

Splake — a hybrid cross between lake trout and brook trout — have been stocked in Lake Superior most years since 1971, with annual stocking since 1990.

Marked splake have been stocked in Lake Superior since 2021 as part of an evaluation study. At the Marquette State Fish Hatchery, staff from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Lake Superior and Northern Lake Michigan management units, as well as staff from the Tribal Coordination Unit, put in long hours carefully marking the splake by hand. Splake are given a unique mark by clipping (and removing) part of either one or two fins. The fish are anesthetized during this process.

These fish are then stocked in the spring at three Lake Superior ports: Copper Harbor, Keweenaw Bay and Munising Bay. The goal is to create nearshore fishing opportunities in the smaller bays of Lake Superior, where some fisheries are available year-round.

The evaluation study will be conducted through 2030. It is designed to help fisheries managers understand the percentage of stocked fish caught by anglers, the home range of splake, and metrics such as harvest rates and size at harvest by year and location.

“Early reporting from anglers has shown that splake remain relatively close to their stocking location and provide a fishery nearshore that is easily accessible with small boats or shore casting during open water periods on Lake Superior,” said Cory Kovacs, a DNR fisheries biologist for the Lake Superior Management Unit. “Splake are also readily available through the ice during winter fishing months.”

Identifying marked fish

A splake with a right pectoral fin clip. Marked splake may have clips on one or two fins.Because they’re genetically tied to both lake trout and brook trout, splake look like either of the parent species, making them difficult to distinguish. Fisheries managers have also learned that identifying the correct fin clip on splake can be difficult to do while fishing, which poses a challenge for collecting data for the evaluation study.

If you catch a splake, inspect it for missing fins or a clipped jawbone, indicating that the fish has been “marked.” Some clipped fins can be misshapen or missing, or appear abnormal. When looking for clipped fins on your fish, pay particular attention to the right and left pectoral fins, the right and left ventral (pelvic) fins, and the adipose fin — the small, fleshy fin found to the rear of the dorsal fin but in front of the caudal (tail) fin and found on only a few fish, including trout, salmon and catfish.

Reporting marked fish

Report marked fish through the DNR’s Eyes in the Field app to provide information such as species, length, weight, sex, and date and location caught, or by contacting a local DNR fisheries office.

Anglers also can report marked splake to DNR creel staff stationed at various ports along the Lake Superior shoreline through the end of October. Creel staff can help to correctly identify the fish, distinguish clipped fins on fish and record angler trip data.

Other natural resources agencies mark a variety of fish species for different evaluation purposes. For information on fish marking in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/TaggedFish.


Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

 

DNR News: Parks, fisheries, forestry and more

DNR News: Parks, fisheries, forestry and more

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Man and woman riding bike on forest trail during the fall.Sept. 27, 2024

Parks, fisheries, forestry and more on the agenda for DNR’s October meetings

Interested in trails? Here’s your chance to serve on DNR trails advisory workgroup

The Department of Natural Resources is committed to providing Michigan residents the opportunity to share input and ideas on policy decisions, programs and other aspects of natural resource management and outdoor recreation opportunities.

One important avenue for this input is at meetings of the public bodies that advise the DNR and, in some cases, also set policies for natural and cultural resource management. Frequently check the DNR boards, commissions, committees and councils webpage for updates.

The links below will take you to the webpage for each group, where you will find meeting details such as location and agenda (when finalized). Please check these pages often, as meeting details may change and sometimes meetings are canceled.

October meetings

Apply by Oct. 30 to serve on trails workgroup

The DNR also is seeking applications for an opening on the Nonmotorized Advisory Workgroup, which consists of nine people each serving four-year terms and contributing as volunteers (travel expenses to and from meetings are eligible for reimbursement). The group works closely with the Michigan Trails Advisory Council, providing advice to the DNR on the creation, development, operation and maintenance of the state’s nonmotorized trails system. The workgroup meets quarterly at varying locations around the state.

Online applications will be accepted through Oct. 30. Questions? Email [email protected].

DNR News: Checking in on young walleye

DNR News: Checking in on young walleye

 
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DNR News

Sept. 26, 2024
Contact: Emily Martin, 231-495-1310 or John Bauman, 906-786-2351

Checking in on young walleye: DNR begins fall surveys in September

A Michigan DNR crew conducts a nighttime electrofishing survey.If you’re on the water in late September to early October, be on the lookout for Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel conducting nighttime walleye recruitment surveys. Fisheries managers use these surveys to determine whether walleye that hatched in the spring (known as young-of-year) were born in the wild or were stocked, as well as how many are present in an area. This information about the status of young walleye in lakes helps the DNR make well-informed management decisions.

Using electrofishing boats at night, crews will survey shallow areas near the shoreline of lakes with the goal of capturing juvenile walleye. Walleye prefer cooler, deeper areas of lakes during the day but move into shallow, nearshore areas at night, making nighttime surveys more efficient. On larger lakes, two or more electrofishing crews using separate boats may operate at the same time to cover more area. The crews will work on a subsample of Michigan lakes that have been stocked with walleye, as well as lakes that have not.

Biologists also collect and keep a sample of young-of-year walleye from stocked lakes to determine whether the fish are primarily reproducing naturally or if young-of-year are from stocking. All other walleye will be released unharmed. Walleye that are stocked in these lakes are marked with oxytetracycline, a chemical marker that can be observed within captured fish by using a microscope with an ultraviolet light source in a laboratory setting.

Some surveys will be conducted collaboratively with tribal agencies; tribal natural resource departments also will conduct surveys independently of the DNR. In the Upper Peninsula, the U.S. Forest Service will also be collaborating on surveys and conducting independent surveys in the Hiawatha National Forest as part of an effort to create long-term datasets for a number of inland lakes managed for walleye.

Everyone is urged to use caution when fishing or on the water near electrofishing boats, and anyone wading will be asked to exit the water when a survey boat approaches and during electrofishing work. Crews will be using bright lights to illuminate the water around the boat and running a generator on board, which may make it difficult to hear and speak with anyone on shore, such as anglers and lake residents.

Learn more about how the DNR manages Michigan’s fisheries.

DNR News Digest – Week of Sept. 23, 2024

DNR News Digest – Week of Sept. 23, 2024

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News Digest – Week of Sept. 23, 2024

piles of gold and orange leaves cover a trail that passes under a wooden bridge deep in the fall forest. The background is sunlit.

Michigan Trails Week is right around the corner! Find your new path.

Here are a few of this week’s stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:

See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.

PHOTO FOLDER: Larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used below, and others, are available in this folder. Note: The pine marten photo used in this email is courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Digital Library.


Don’t forget: Recently planted trees need water

a man in a bright yellow Greening of Detroit T-shirt and work pants pours a big blue bucket of water on a newly planted and staked treeIf you planted trees this spring or summer, it may be time to provide them with a drink of water.

Even though we’re thinking about cooler weather ahead, your newer trees are still growing and may be thirsty during much of the state’s recent warm and dry conditions. Here are a few tips for watering:

  • Check soil moisture first. If you can poke a long-handled screwdriver into the soil about 10 inches down and the end comes out dry, it’s time to water.
  • Water slowly and deeply. You can fill a tree-watering bag, use a hose on a slow trickle, turn on a sprinkler or use one or two 5-gallon buckets of water to deliver water to the root area under the tree canopy.
  • The goal is to provide the equivalent of about 1 inch of normal rainfall per week.
  • Provide a layer of organic mulch about 3 to 4 inches deep over the root area to help maintain soil moisture. Keep the mulch away from the trunk of the tree. An easy-to-remember guide for mulch: doughnuts are good, volcanoes are bad! “Volcanoes” – when mulch is mounded high and touches the tree bark – can do more harm than good.

Check out the MSU Extension do’s and don’ts of irrigating landscape plants and watch for more tips later this fall on preparing your landscape trees for winter and a great start next spring.

Questions? Contact DNR urban forester Lawrence Sobson at 313-316-4137.


Birding, history, fall fun and more at Haven Hill Festival

a brown-feathered, white-throated swallow with a puffed-out chest and long thin tail perches on a wooden fence railIf your weekend plans put you in southeast Michigan, swing by the Haven Hill Festival Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Highland Recreation Area in Oakland County. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate fall migration with MI Birds and the Oakland Bird Alliance at the park’s Goose Meadows Picnic Area – an important stopover site for migratory birds like the Swainson’s thrush and white-throated sparrow (shown above).

The Oakland Bird Alliance and the Friends of Highland Recreation Area will give a one-hour presentation on MI Birds, a public outreach and education program created by Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR. It will highlight birding at Highland Recreation Area and the importance of this area for migratory birds. Catch this 1 p.m. presentation at the shelter in the picnic area.

Stop by the Oakland Bird Alliance exhibition table in the picnic area to learn how MI Birds is helping local birds, and how you can get involved.

The Haven Hill Festival, hosted by the Friends of Highland Recreation Area, is a celebration of the Haven Hill Estate – once the country estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford – and the natural beauty and historic wonders of this recreation area in the townships of Highland and White Lake. This fun, free* and family-friendly event includes a variety of vintage-themed activities, music and opportunities to explore local birds. See event details.

*Please note that a Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into Highland Recreation Area. If you do not have one, you will be able to purchase one at the park with cash, check or credit card.

Fall migration birding statewide

short-haired woman in tan, floppy hat and orange jacket looks through black binocularsBirders outside the metro Detroit area can make the most of fall bird movement across Michigan, too, with some quick MI Birds tips and resources to aid in planning your next trip!

Learn which birds to expect in different regions, as waves of new fall migrants pass through the state each month on their journey south. This month, waterfowl and raptor migrations peak, so expect to see birds like broad-winged hawks and American wigeon in good numbers.

Not sure where to go birding? Explore one of Michigan’s birding trails and remember to follow these safety tips to confidently view birds and other wildlife at or near hunting areas.

MI Birds aims to deepen all Michiganders’ engagement in the understanding, care and stewardship of public lands that are important for birds and local communities.

Questions? Contact Erin Ford at 313-820-0809.


Celebrating 50 years of Michigan’s endangered species law

an alert, brown and fluffy pine marten, ears upright and whiskers on end, stands up tall in front of a pink flower in the forestBald eagle. American (or pine) marten. Kirtland’s warbler. What do these three Michigan species have in common? How about a remarkable comeback after being on the brink of disappearing from our state?

Together this trio represents the success of a law that has supported the protection and restoration of our most vulnerable species.

This year marks a major milestone in Michigan’s conservation history: the 50th anniversary of the Michigan Endangered Species Act being signed into law. Enacted in September 1974, this pivotal legislation included protections for endangered species and established the creation of Michigan’s threatened and endangered species list, a tool for identifying and protecting our state’s rare plants and animals. Michigan’s Endangered Species Act was later recodified as Part 365, Endangered Species Protection, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA, Act 451 of 1994), as it is more familiarly known today.

“This law serves as a conservation spotlight, focusing our attention and efforts on species at risk of disappearing from Michigan,” said Jennifer Kleitch, endangered species specialist with the DNR Wildlife Division.

Dedicated research and management paired with incredible partnerships have paved the way for rare species to recover.

“Thanks to the unwavering dedication of conservation organizations, researchers, local communities and countless individuals, Michigan has committed to banding together to keep native wildlife and plants around for future generations,” said Kleitch.

The statute remains as vital today as it was 50 years ago, supporting conservation for more than 400 species, including nine mammals, 12 amphibians and reptiles, 22 fish, 25 birds, 30 insects, 35 mollusks and 274 plants.

a sample Michigan license plate, white with blue lettering saying Pure Michigan, Conserve Wildlife Habitat, and picture of a yellow Kirtland's warblerIf you would like to support rare species conservation, consider donating to the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund or purchasing a Kirtland’s warbler license plate. All proceeds from this fund support efforts related to the research and management of nongame wildlife, fish and plant species.

During this anniversary, we’re also celebrating our supporters. Anyone who donates to the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund and provides their name will have it read aloud on one of the monthly DNR Wildtalk podcast episodes. Join the growing list of donors who have already contributed over $500 since Sept. 1!

Here’s to another 50 years of successful conservation and continued protection of Michigan’s natural heritage. Questions? Contact Jennifer Kleitch at 989-370-2158.


Photo ambassador snapshot: Hanging out at Two Hearted

a woman's legs in red and black plaid sweats, with bare feet and pink-painted toes, stretched out in a orange and black tree hammockSee more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors at Instagram.com/MiStateParks. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Samantha Bohon, for the Michigan DNR, at Two Hearted River State Forest Campground in Luce County.)


THINGS TO DO

Michigan Trails Week, Sept. 21-28, is the perfect time to discover why we’re known as the Trails State! Whether you walk, run, paddle or ride, get started and find your path at Michigan.gov/DNRTrails.

BUY & APPLY

If fishing and hunting are on your fall bucket list, be sure to get the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. It’s your mobile path to buy and store licenses, permits, report harvests and more, right at your fingertips!

GET INVOLVED

Fans of Michigan’s Wetland Wonders, register now for a virtual public input session to learn about planning efforts for the DNR’s managed waterfowl hunt areas, Friday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

DNR News: Swim buoys at state parks are removed

DNR News: Swim buoys at state parks are removed

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DNR News

Sept. 20, 2024
Contact: Pat Whalen, [email protected], or Scott Pratt, 517-897-0219

As swim buoys at state parks are removed, swim area designation expires

swim buoys with a bird sitting on topAs the weather cools and the days shorten, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources begins the process of removing swim buoys from many state park beaches.

Swim buoys help mark the boundaries of a swim area, which are established to help identify locations with shallower water (less than 5 feet) and lower risks of dangerous currents and waves. DNR staff inspects these areas approximately every two weeks and adjusts them as needed to maximize safety.

Once buoys are removed, the area is no longer considered a swim area. While the beach remains open to the public, swimming is not recommended.

Due to high winds, waves and rapidly changing water temperatures during the off-season, buoys typically are installed before the Memorial Day holiday weekend and are removed after Labor Day. On-shore rescue equipment, the flag system (Great Lakes only) and safety signage will remain along those sections of shoreline through at least Oct. 1.

“Swim buoys and beach flag warning systems start to be removed after Labor Day weekend due to changing weather patterns in September,” said Pat Whalen, Plainwell District supervisor for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “High winds, waves and unpredictable water temperatures can make it difficult for staff to perform the necessary inspections and remove the buoys within the usual 14-day time frame.”

Whalen also said that visitors should exercise caution when entering the water, as they would at any other nondesignated swim area.

A few other cautions:

  • There are several hazards, such as strong longshore currents, rip currents and submerged objects, that can exist in the water all year long.
  • There are no beach guards at state parks, so never swim alone, always keep close watch over children and bring U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, especially for new and inexperienced swimmers.
  • Water currents near piers, breakwalls and outlets of rivers can be extremely hazardous.
  • Weather patterns, especially in the fall months, can change quickly. Check local weather reports and lake conditions and learn about different Great Lakes currents and how to escape them.
  • As Great Lakes water temperatures drop, monitor swimmers for cold-water exposure, which can result in hypothermia. Water temperatures can change radically in 24 hours.

Visit Michigan.gov/BeachSafety for tips and information on safely visiting the Great Lakes, including state-designated swim beach locations, the beach flag warning system, Great Lakes currents (and how to escape them) and more.

For more information, contact the DNR’s Pat Whalen at 269-838-1196 or [email protected].


Note to editors: An accompanying photo is available below for download.

$100,000 available for community tree planting projects

$100,000 available for community tree planting projects

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DNR News

Sept. 20, 2024

Media contacts: Kerry Gray (DNR), 734-691-1806; Joelle Kruczek (DTE Energy), 586-805-0146; or Melinda Jones (ReLeaf Michigan), 734-718-2702

$100,000 available for community tree planting projects; apply by Oct. 25

People plant a tree as part of the DTE Foundation's tree grant program. Interested in using trees to make your community more beautiful, climate-friendly and pleasant for people and wildlife? The DTE Energy Foundation Tree Planting Grant program can help!

Proposals for community-based tree planting projects are now being accepted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for the 2024-25 DTE Energy Foundation Tree Planting grant program.

The program provides financial and technical assistance to communities throughout the state that are served by DTE Electric and/or Gas. This support helps partners with planting projects that engage residents, help moderate the effects of climate change, beautify communities and add benefits from trees planted along streets, parks and schools and away from utility lines.

Beginning in 1996, the grant program was initiated through a partnership between the DTE Energy Foundation and the DNR’s Urban and Community Forestry program to improve communities and the environment through tree planting. With the addition of the statewide nonprofit partner ReLeaf Michigan, the program also offers project coordination and technical and educational assistance to applicants and grantees to help ensure a legacy of successful tree plantings.

“A priority for the DTE Energy Foundation is preserving Michigan’s beauty and wildlife, which is dependent on maintaining our trees and forests,” said Rodney Cole, president, DTE Foundation. “Preservation is made possible through the great works of our partners like the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and ReLeaf Michigan. Both have made a substantial and long-lasting impact on our natural resources.”

  • A total of $100,000 is available this year. Applicants may seek individual grants of up to $4,000 with a 1-to-1 matching requirement.
  • Applications are due Oct. 25.
  • Grant awards will be announced in December, and projects must be completed by Monday, Sept. 1, 2025.

Learn more about urban and community forestry and tree planting grants at Michigan.gov/UCF.


The DTE Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy, continuing the legacy of community support and involvement of its electric and natural gas utilities, which serve 2.3 million electric customers in Southeast Michigan and 1.3 million natural gas customers in Michigan. In 2023, the DTE Energy Foundation provided more than $16 million in grant support to nearly 300 nonprofits where the company has a business presence with a focus on driving positive, meaningful change in key areas like jobs, equity, human needs and the environment. As one of Michigan’s leading corporate citizens, DTE aspires not only to be the best in the world, but the best for the world, serving as a force for growth and prosperity in the communities across Michigan. Visit DTEFoundation.com to learn more.